Garment spreading apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use with a garment press or the like for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing is provided which features a pair of spreader elements adapted to receive the bottom of a trouser leg or the like thereover and being relatively movable away from each other to spread the trouser leg for pressing. The spreader elements are mounted on a platform movably disposed along a given line in response to operation of a pressing head for withdrawing them from the garment just prior to the press head coming into contact with the garment. A pressure actuated piston having a rack on one end drives a pinion carried on a shaft supporting another pinion which engages racks formed on the spreader elements for spreading these elements. Another pressure actuated piston operates to move the platform away from the trouser leg. Closing of the spreader elements may be effected by a spring biasing the shaft on which the pinions are mounted against movement by the piston or, alternatively, by a dual rack arrangement engaging the driving pinion and operatively connected with both pistons. In addition, the platform is angularly adjustable relative to the line of movement for displacing the spreader elements relative to the longitudinal axis of the press pad.

United States Patent Michaels GARMENT SPREADING APPARATUS [72] inventor: Sid Michaels, Knoxville, Tenn.

[73] Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co., San Francisco,

Calif.

22 Filed: March 30,1971

21 Appl.No.: 129,516

[52] US. Cl ..38/21, 223/2 [51] int. Cl. ..D06i 71/18, D06f7l/40 [58] Field of Search ..223/2, 61, 63. 65;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,917,21 1 12/1959 Silverman ..223/2 3,112,847 12/1963 Brumby ..223/2 3,430,368 3/ 1969 Wright ..223/2 X Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin Attorney-Oblon, Fisher & Spivak [15] 3,685,179 [451 Aug. 22, 1972 {57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for use with a garment press or the like for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing is provided which features a pair of spreader elements adapted to receive the bottom of a trouser leg or the like thereover and being relatively movable away from each other to spread the trouser leg for pressing. The spreader elements are mounted on a platfonn movably disposed along a given line in response to operation of a pressing head for withdrawing them from the garment just prior to the press head coming into contact with the garment. A pressure actuated piston having a rack on one end drives a pinion carried on a shaft supporting another pinion which engages racks formed on the spreader elements for spreading these eiements. Another pressure actuated piston operates to move the platform away from the trouser leg. Closing of the spreader elements may be effected by a spring biasing the shaft on which the pinions are mounted against movement by the piston or, alternatively, by a dual rack arrangement engaging the driving pinion and operatively connected with both pistons. in addition, the platform is angularly adjustable relative to the line of movement for displacing the spreader elements relative to the longitudinal axis of the press pad.

21 Chins, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTED M1 I972 SHEU 1 BF 5 1 1 mm Cl INVENTOR 8/0 MICHAELS BY mm J miin d p-r ATTORNEYS 3;se5.11a

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1 GARMENT SPREADING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to garment pressing and more specifically to an apparatus for spreading garments during a pressing operation, particularly for spreading the cuffs or legs of trousers prior to pressing.

For many years, producers of trousers and the like, particularly of the permanent press variety, have had to pre-press the pants in order to maintain an adequate level of quality of the leg press provided therein. Recently, however, apparatus has been provided for automatically spreading the bottom of the trouser leg prior to pressing the same, whereby the one hand of the presser is free to smooth out the trouser leg during the normal pressing operation, so that this pre-pressing step has been virtually eliminated. Such an apparatus is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,430,368, issued Mar. 4, l969, to Nathaniel L. Wright, Jr. The garment spreader disclosed in the aforementioned patent utilizes a pair of cuff-spreading elements which are spreadable within a trouser leg disposed thereover to tension trouser cuffs in preparation for pressing and which are adapted to be automatically withdrawn from the trouser leg just prior to contact therewith of a pressing head so that the imprint of the elements are not left on the garment after pressing.

Although the former garment spreading devices of the character described have heretofore been generally successfully operated, they nevertheless are not considered to be completely satisfactory in all respects. For example, although such devices are adjustable to accommodate various length inseams and different width bottoms, these adjustments may be effected only along a line which is parallel with the slides or track supporting the platform on which the spreading elements are disposed, such as by moving the platform therealong, and along a line substantially perpendicular thereto, such as by shifting the spreaders laterally of the platform and the track of guides slidably supporting the same.

In pressing various sizes and shapes of pants, however, the general axis of the pants is not always alignable with the longitudinal axis of the press pad. In the past, the supporting guides of the garment spreading devices are generally initially set up beside the press and aligned in parallel relation with the longitudinal axis thereof, and in order to vary the angular relation therebetween, it has been necessary to dismantle and move the entire structural supports of the device on the table of the press to alter the position of the guides, and thus the movable path of the spreader element-supporting platform defined thereby, relative to the longitudinal axis of the press pad. In most pants-producing factories, however, the garment spreader supports are installed close to the press and there is very little room for maneuverability, but besides this, it is also a very difficult operation to set up the supports in precisely the desired positions. Thus, until now, there has not been any satisfactory method provided in these devices for angularly adjusting the spreader elements relative to the supporting platform or the guides upon which the platform is displaceable, so that they may always move relative to each other when being spread apart along a line perpendicular to the axis of any trouser leg.

Another major disadvantage of the prior art devices is the frequent failure thereof due to excessive wear resulting from the manner in which the air distribution systems have operated in the past to supply and exhaust the fluid motors provided for actuating the spreader elements and moving the spreader element-supporting platform away from the trousers to prevent leaving an imprint of the spreader in the leg when it is being pressed. This occurs because, while the garment is relaxed, namely, during the entire period that the cuff spreader elements are closed for receiving a trouser leg, or reclosed for being withdrawn from the leg while it is being pressed, which condition persists until the pressed pants are removed and a new pair is readied, the cylinder of the fluid motor for operating the spreader elements remains charged. Being under this substantially constant charge, of course, causes the seals in the fluid motor to break down, which requires costly repairs and more importantly, puts the machine out of operation so that the production effort is seriously injured.

Also, in one embodiment disclosed in the aforementioned Wright patent, only one of the spreader elements is movable. In this case, when the elements are withdrawn from the garment, there is a tendency for the immovable element to tear or at least drag the garment therewith.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved garment spreading device which is quickly and easily operable for spreading a garment prior to pressing, does not leave its imprint on the garment after pressing, and is readily adjustable in all directions in a given plane to suit the particular shape and size of the garment being pressed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved garment spreading device, particularly suited for spreading the bottoms or cuffs of trouser legs, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, may be readily incorporated into both new and old presses, and is easily adjustable within its originally installed position to accommodate any size and shape of trouser leg.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a garment spreading device having an improved mechanism for operating the spreader elements thereof which provides highly effective and dependable performance and has substantially fewer wear characteristics than former devices of the character described, whereby repair and shut-down costs are minimized.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment spreading device, particularly suited for spreading the bottoms or cufi's of trouser legs, having an improved method of operating the spreader elements which permits adjustment of the same to suit substantially all sizes and shapes of pants without dismantling the structural supports thereof and which is less subject to wear-induced breakdown than fonner garment spreading devices.

The foregoing and other objects are realized by the present invention which is embodied in a garment spreading apparatus comprising a pair of spreader elements adapted to receive the bottom or cuff of a trouser leg thereover and being relatively movable away from each other to spread the trouser leg for pressing. The spreader elements are adjustably mounted on a platform which is movable along an established line in response to operation of the pressing head for withdrawing them from the garment just prior to the press head coming into contact with the garment, whereby no imprint of the elements are pressed into the garment. A pressure actuated piston having a rack formed on one end thereof cooperates with a pinion carried on a shaft supporting another axially spaced pinion which in turn engages racks formed on the spreader elements for spreading these elements to anchor the bottom of the trouser leg and spread the same. Another pressure actuated piston operates to move the platform away from the trouser leg to withdraw these spreaders. Closing of the spreader elements may be effected by a spring biasing the shaft on which the pinions are mounted against movement by the pressure actuated piston or, in another embodiment, by a dual rack arrangement engaging the one pinion and operatively connected with both of the pistons. The spreader element-supporting platform is returned to an initial trouser leg-receiving position by spring means resisting movement of the platform along the aforementioned established line.

Adjustment of the spreader elements laterally of the platform supporting the same is permitted by the provision of elongate slots in the elements which receive clamping pins threadably engaging a plate fixed to the top of the platform for securing the elements in a fixed lateral position relative thereto. By providing for rotational disposition of the plate about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the plate and passing between the elongate slots in the elements, it is possible to angularly displace the spreader elements relative to the longitudinal axis of the press pad adjacent which the garment spreading device is installed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a garment press incorporating one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged plane view of the garment spreader device included in the press of FIG. 1 with a flow control system for its actuating mechanism being schematically shown;

FIG. 3 is a side view, partly in section, of the garment spreader device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6 6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the spreader element-supporting platform of the garment spreader device shown in FIGS. 2 6, particularly showing the angular adjustment mechanism of the garment spreader elements;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the spreader elements illustrating in solid lines the relationship of the elements when in position to receive a relaxed garment, and in dotted lines upon being spread apart for tensioning the garment just prior to pressing;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the garment spreading elements angularly displaced relative to the longitudinal axis of the supporting platform; and,

FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a portion of a garment spreader device representing another embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown for illustrative purposes only, a typical garment press including a base 10 supporting a horizontal table 11 on which there is disposed a press pad 12 of conventional design for receiving a garment, such as the leg 13 of a pair of trousers. Positioned adjacent the press pad 12 and movable relative thereto between an open or garment receiving position shown in FIG. 1 and a closed or pressing position firmly contacting the press pad for pressing the garment is a press head 14 of any conventional design, being shown here as a square type press, or one which moves vertically relative to the press pad, although the device of this invention is equally capable of being incorporated with a pivotally operating type press head.

A garment spreader device generally designated by the numeral 15 and embodying the present invention is incorporated in the pressing apparatus of FIG. 1, wherein it is shown as being mounted on the table 11 along one longitudinal side of the press pad 12 so that a pair of cuff spreader elements 16 and I7 projecting outwardly therefrom are in position to receive the bottom or cuff of the trouser leg 13 for spreading and tensioning the trouser cuff in preparation for pressing, as will be hereinafter described in detail.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2 and 3, the spreader elements 16 and 17 are shown as being planar blades having elongated main body portions and 170, respectively, on the ends of which are integrally formed end arms 16b and 17b projecting at right angles from the main body portions so as to be insertable into the trouser leg 13. Each of the spreader elements 16 and 17 is provided with an elongate, or longitudinal, slot 18 in the main body portion thereof and has a serrated edge 19 on that portion of the laterally projecting arm which is adapted to engage the trouser leg for spreading and tensioning the same.

The spreader elements 16 and 17 are mounted on supports 20 having elongate keys 2] formed thereon for being received within the slots 18 in the elongate main body portions 160 and 17a of the spreader elements, and the supports 20 are slidably mounted in parallel slots 22 provided in a platform member 23 for permitting the spreader elements 16 and 17 to be mounted with the elongate main body portions 16a and 170, respectively, thereof being disposed and maintained in parallel relation to each other. The platform 23 is adjustably supported in a manner to be described hereinbelow within a housing member 24 having parallel pairs of aligned openings 25 and 26 formed in opposing end walls thereof for receiving longitudinally disposed slides 27 and 28, respectively, being mounted at their ends in spaced vertically oriented brackets 29 for slidably supporting the housing 24. An elongate base plate 30 is disposed below the slides 27 and 28 and between the upstanding end brackets 29, being connected to the end brackets for supporting the same, and is secured to the table 1 1 in any well known manner.

Disposed below each of the sliding supports and secured thereto by threaded bolts 32 is a rack member 33 being generally aligned in parallel relation with the slots 22 in the platform 23. The spreader elements 16 and 17 are secured in preselected positions on the sliding supports 20 by clamping bolt members 34 which project through the elongate slots 18 of the spreader elements and through openings 35 centrally formed in the sliding supports 20 to threadably engage their respective rack members 33.

As shown in FIG. 3, and in greater detail in FIG. 5, the rack members 33 engage diametrically opposed teeth of a pinion 36 disposed therebetween and rotatably mounted on a vertical shaft 37, so that upon rotation of the pinion 36 in either direction the rack members 33 are moved in relative opposite directions. A spring member 38 is secured at one end to the housing 24 and at the other end to the pinion 36 to normally urge rotation of the pinion 36 in a counterclockwise direction.

Positioned below the pinion 36 and secured to the same shaft 37 is a lower pinion member 39 which, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, engages a rack 40. The rack 40 is operatively engaged by a piston rod 41 of a motor shown as a fluid air motor including a cylinder 42 mounted with respect to the housing 24 through an upstanding wall 43 of an enclosure unit 44 surrounding the housing 24 and also being slidably mounted on the longitudinal slides 27 and 28. Thus, upon application of air under pressure into the cylinder 42, the rack 40 will be moved to the right, as shown herein, to rotate the lower pinion 39 in a clockwise direction. Rotation of the pinion 39 also rotates the shaft 37 on which it is disposed in the same direction and consequently causes the upper pinion 36 to likewise be turned in a clockwise direction. Through their engagement with the rotating pinion 36, the racks 33 are moved in opposite directions, carrying with them the sliding supports 20 secured thereto, so that the serrated arms 16b and 17b of the spreader elements 16 and 17, respectively, are separated for spreading the cufl of a trouser leg 13. This spreading movement of the elements 16 and 17 for tensioning the trouser leg 13 is illustrated in E6. 9, wherein the spreader elements are shown in solid line form in their normal rest position for receiving the trouser leg and in dotted line form being moved in the direction of the arrows 45 for tensioning the trouser leg. Upon release of pressure from the cylinder 42, according to a scheme to be set forth in detail hereinbelow, the spring 38 forces the return of the spreader elements to the original position shown in FIG. 9 in solid line form by rotating the upper pinion 36 in a counterclockwise direction and thereby operatively moving the spreader element-supporting racks 33 in opposite directions until the lower rack 40 being simultaneously returned by its cooperative engagement with the lower pinion 39 returns the actuator rod 41 to its normal rest position which normally includes a biasing means within the cylinder 42, not shown.

Referring again to FIGURES 2 and 3, the movement of the housing 24 supporting the spreader elements 16 and 17 a predetermined distance along the slides 27 and 28 for the purpose of withdrawing the spreader ele ments from the trouser leg immediately prior to pressing the same will now be explained. The housing 24 is mounted on the slides 27 and 28 within the enclosure frame 44 between end walls 43 and 46 thereof. Between one end of the housing 24 and the end wall 46, coil springs 47 and 48 are disposed about the slides 27 and 28, respectively, for normally biasing the housing 24 in the direction of the other end wall 43 of the enclosure frame 44. To prevent movement of the enclosure frame 44 on the slides 27 and 28, a pin member 49 is projected downward through parallel brackets 50 and 51 secured to the end wall 46 of the enclosure frame 44 and is positioned in one of a plurality of holes 52 provided in the base plate 30. The pin 49 is maintained within the desired hole 52 by the biasing force of a coil spring 53 positioned about the pin and compressed between the upper bracket 50 and a lateral pin 54 projecting from the pin 49 and being urged against the lower bracket 51. Another motor shown as a fluid air motor including a cylinder 55 is secured to the end wall 43 of the enclosure frame 44 and has a piston rod 56 secured to one end of a piston, not shown, slidably disposed therein. The piston rod 56 is freely movable through the wall 43 and engages the adjacent wall of the housing 24. Thus, upon application of air under pressure to the cylinder 55, the rod 56 is moved to the right, as shown in FIG. 2, whereby the housing 24 is pushed along slides 27 and 28 against the biasing force of springs 47 and 48, causing the springs 47 and 48 to be further compressed between the housing 24 and the end wall 46 of the enclosure frame 44. In this manner, it may be seen that the spreader elements 16 and 17 supported on the platform 23 which is mounted in the housing 24 are moved generally longitudinally relative to the press pad 12 to be withdrawn from the trouser leg 13 positioned thereon. When pressure is evacuated from the cylinder 55, the housing 24 is returned to its original position by the coil springs 47 and 48. Smaller coil springs 57 and 58 are respectively disposed on the slides 27 and 28 between the end wall 43 of the enclosure frame 44 and the adjacent wall of the housing 24 for generally ofi'ering a slight resistance to the housing return and thereby to absorb the energy of the return and prevent damage to the apparatus.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is schematically illustrated an exemplary air distribution system for supplying and exhausting the fluid motor cylinders 42 and 55 during a normal pressing operation. This system includes a fluid pressure supply source 60 communicable with the fluid motor cylinders 42 and 55 through conduits 61 and 62 which, respectively, are connected with fluid switches S1 and S2. The switch S1 is a conventional switch of the type adapted to be actuated in one direction by manually depressing the same and in the other direction by an application of fluid pressure to the other end. Thus, in the illustrated position of S1, the cylinder 42 is being vented, and upon manually pressing the plunger 63 of switch S1, by hand or through a foot operated pedal, flow between the supply source 60 and cylinder 42 is conducted through a line 64, the switch S1 and the line 61 to actuate the piston rod 41 for spreading the cuff spreader elements 16 and 17. Switch S2 is another switch of conventional type which is actuated by an arm 65 fixed to the press head 14, as shown in FIG. 1, and which in the illustrated position permits venting of both the fluid motor cylinder 55 through line 62 and the fluid pressure actuating end of the switch S1 through a line 66. When the press head 14 is lowered, the press arm switch 65 is actuated to move the switch S2 in a direction indicated by the arrow 67 for connecting the fluid supply source 60 through conduit 68, conduit 69, switch S2 and conduit 66 to the switch S1 to return the switch S1 to the shown position, whereby cylinder 42 is vented and the cuff spreader elements 16 and 17 are drawn together automatically by the force of the spring 38. Simultaneously, the supply source 60 is connected through conduit 68, conduit 70, switch S2 and line 62 to the fluid motor cylinder 55 for actuating the piston rod 56 and causing the housing 24 supporting the cuff spreader elements 16 and 17 to be longitudinally displaced along slides 27 and 28, whereby the cuff spreader elements are withdrawn from the trouser leg 13. Raising the press head 14 reactuates the press arm switch 65 causing the switch S2 to be moved in a direction indicated by the arrow 71, whereuponfluid motor cylinder 55 is permitted to be vented so that the housing 24 may be returned to its original position, shown in FIG. 2, under the action of the coil springs 47 and 48. At the same time, line 66 is again connected to vent so that the switch S1 may again be manually actuated as desired by pressing the plunger 63.

The novel adjustment features of the present invention are detailed primarily in FIGS. 8, 9, and 10, wherein it is shown that the platform 23 on which the sliding supports 20 of the spreader elements 16 and 17 are mounted is pivotally disposed in a horizontal plane of the housing 24 about a line coaxial with the shaft 37. The platform 23 is shown as being a substantially flat member having diametrically opposed arcuate edges which rest upon shoulders 73 and 74 formed in the housing 24. Arcuate slots 75 and 76 are formed along the arcuate edges of the platform 23 and threaded bolts 77 are projected freely therethrough for threadably engaging the housing 24 and thereby securing the platform 23 in a preselected angularly disposed position thereon. Both of the bolts 77 are shown having knurled head portions, but according to this invention, only one need be utilized for clamping the platform 23 in place, whereby it is only necessary to unscrew one of the bolts in order to adjust the platform. Accordingly, it is possible in this manner to threadably clamp the platform 23 in any desired angular relation relative to the housing 24 within the range of the arcuate slots 75 and 76, such as shown in FIG. 10.

A typical operation will now be described. Initially, the housing 24 is adjusted along the slides 27 and 28 to suit the inseam length of the trouser leg 13 being pressed and is secured in the desired position by locking the pin 49 in one of the holes 52 in the base plate 30. Then, the platform 23 is adjusted on the housing 24 to dispose the spreader elements 16 and 17 sup ported thereon at the best angle for being spread apart along a line substantially perpendicular to the axis of the trouser leg. Adjustment of the spreader elements 16 and 17 themselves on the platform 23 to determine the initial separation of the arms 16b and 17b thereof is made by loosening the threaded clamping bolts 34 to permit movement of the spreader element arms 16a and 17a along the keys 21 of the sliding supports 20 within the range of the elongate slots 18 provided in these arms, and the degree of this adjustment is determined according to the width of the cuff or bottom of the trouser leg 13 being pressed. The trouser leg is then placed on the press pad 12 and the cuff or bottom thereof is fitted over the serrated edge portions 19 of the spreader elements 16 and 17. Plunger 63 is depressed to actuate switch S1 for supplying air under pressure from supply source to the fluid motor cylinder 42, thereby moving rack 40 and causing the shaft 37 and the pinion 36 secured thereon to be rotated and the racks 33 to be displaced in opposite directions for separating the spreader elements 16 and 17 andsprcading and tensioning the trouser cuff into the desired position. This operation may also serve to anchor the bottom of the trouser leg so that the press operator can easily smooth out the remainder of the trouser leg without the latter creeping or moving along the press pad.

When the trouser leg has been properly positioned and spread, the press head 14 is brought downwardly toward the press pad 12 and just prior to contacting the trouser, the press arm switch 65 is actuated for moving switch S2, whereupon air is evacuated from the cylinder 42 and the spreader elements 16 and 17 are retracted under the biasing force of the spring 38. Almost simultaneously, fluid pressure is supplied to the fluid motor cylinder 55 for extending the piston rod 56 and moving the housing 24 longitudinally along the slides 27 and 28, whereby the spreader elements 16 and 17 are withdrawn from the trouser leg 13 just prior to the time when the leg is contacted by the press 14 so that no imprint of the spreader elements will be left in the pressed garment. Afier the trouser leg has been pressed and the press head 14 is being returned upwardly for its next operation, the press arm switch 65 is again actuated for returning switch S2 to the position shown in FIG. 2, wherein the cylinder 55 is exhausted or vented so that the housing 24 may be returned under the force of springs 47 and 48 to thereby place the spreader elements 16 and 17 in position for receiving the next trouser leg. At this point, the apparatus is maintained in the normal rest position, shown in FIG. 2, in which it is ready for receiving the next trouser leg and in which none of the fluid motors used in operating the device are pressurized.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown another embodiment of the present invention which elirrrinates a substantial amount of wear normally encountered with spring-biased air-actuated cylinders and further eliminates the spring return mechanism 38 utilized in the former embodiment by substituting therefor a dual rack and pinion arrangement which is operated in essentially the same manner and with the same fluid pressure control circuit yet, because of its not having to overcome the resistance of high strength springs, may be operated under substantially reduced pressure levels. Thus, it may be seen in this modified version that the fluid air cylinder 42 is operative upon the application of air under pressure from the supply source 60 through switch S1 and line 61 to move the piston rod 41 in a direction to cause the rack secured to the free end thereof to rotate the pinion 39 in a clockwise direction. As in the former embodiment, the pinion 39 is secured to the lower end of a shah 37 having disposed thereabove another pinion 36 which cooperatively engages the rack members 33 for imparting movement to the sliding supports 20, thereby to spread apart the cud-engaging arms of the spreader elements 16 and 17. In this case, however, the spring 38 has been eliminated. Instead, the piston rod 56 of the fluid air motor is offset from its generally central engagement with the end wall of housing 24, being freely movable therethrough, and has secured to the free end thereof another rack member 80 which engages the pinion 39 on a diametrically opposed toothed-edge thereof. Noticeably, the stroke of the piston in the fluid air motor 55 is somewhat longer than that of the piston in the fluid air motor 42. Because of this advantage in stroke length, when air under pressure from the supply source is admitted to the air cylinder 55 through the switch S2 upon appropriate actuation thereof by the press arm switch 65, the piston rod 56 first moves to the position shown in FIG. 11 and in the course of this movement causes rack 80 to turn pinion 39 in a counterclockwise direction, thereby moving he piston of the air cylinder 42 through the full length of its stroke, or until it bottoms at the air supply-end thereof, through its connection with the rack 40 being driven by the pinion 39. At this point, the spreader elements 16 and 17 will have been retracted through the driving connection of the sliding supports 20, racks 33, upper pinion 36 and shaft 37 with the lower pinion 39. Continued application of air under pressure to the fluid air motor 55, however, further advances the piston rod 56 an since pinion 39 can no longer be rotated by the rack 80 because the rack 40 also engaged therewith is prevented from being further moved by the bottomedpiston secured to the end thereof, the pinion 39 and racks 40 and 80 become an immobilized integral unit within the housing 24, and the rod 56 is thereby operative to move the housing 24 along the slides 27 and 28 and within the enclosure frame 44, causing the springs 47 and 48 to be compressed therebetween during such movement. Thus, the spreader elements 16 and 17 are withdrawn from the cuff or bottom of the trouser leg 13 while the trouser is being pressed in order to prevent the same from being imprinted in the garment. When the press head 14 is raised following completion of the pressing operation, the press arm switch is again actuated causing movement of switch S2 in the direction indicated by arrow 71 in FIG. 2 so that switch S2 is returned to theposition illustrated therein and fluid air motor 55 is permitted to be exhausted or vented. Springs 47 and 48 are then operative to return the housing 24 to the position wherein spreader elements 16 and 17 supported thereon are adapted to receive another trouser leg for a succeeding pressing operation. At this stage, the piston rods 41 and 56 and the racks 40 and 80, respectively associated therewith, occupy the positions illustrated in FIG. 11. It may be seen, therefore, with this embodiment, that no biasing springs are required within the fluid air motors 42 and 55 for returning the pistons thereof following actuation by air under pressure, since the rack connected to each of the pistons is operative in the course of its movement to return the other. Furthermore, by providing the one fluid air motor 55 with a greater stroke than the other motor 42, longitudinal displacement of the housing 24 for withdrawing the spreader elements from the trouser leg may be effected immediately after retraction of the spreader elements within the trouser cufi' under the influence of the same driving force, namely, the piston rod 56 and the rack connected thereto.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for use with a garment press or the like for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing, comprising:

a frame;

a housing supported within said frame for reciprocable movement in one direction therewithin;

a pair of spreader elements for engaging opposite portions of a garment to be pressed;

means supporting said spreader elements on said housing for reciprocable movement in opposite directions relative to each other;

means for adjusting the angular relation of said spreader elements relative to said housing and said one direction of movement thereof;

first actuator means for moving said spreader elements in opposite directions to engage said opposite portions of said garment; and

second actuator means for moving said housing within said frame.

2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

means for substantially simultaneously retracting said spreader elements to release said garment and actuating said second actuator means; and

means for normally biasing said housing against movement by said second actuator means.

3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said supporting means for said spreader elements comprises:

a platform mounted in said housing;

a pair of supports for said spreader elements being slidably mounted on said platform for movement in parallel paths; and,

means connecting said slidable supports and said first actuator means for moving said slidable supports in opposite directions along said parallel paths jointly with said first actuator means.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3, wherein said means connecting said slidable supports and said first actuator means comprises:

a rotatable shaft;

a pinion secured to said shaft being rotatable therewith;

a pair of racks respectively secured to said pair of slidable supports and engaging said pinion; and,

means for drivingly connecting said shaft with said first actuator means.

5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein said first actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to rotate said shaft in one direction, and further comprising means for normally urging said shaft to rotate in the opposite direction.

6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5, wherein said second actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to move said housing in a given direction, and further comprising means for normally urging said housing in an opposite direction within said frame.

7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6, further comprising a fluid control circuit for sequentially:

applying fluid under pressure to said first actuator fluid motor for causing said spreader elements to be spread apart for engaging said garment;

venting said first actuator fluid motor and substantially simultaneously applying fluid under pressure to said second actuator fluid motor for moving said housing in said given direction; and,

venting said second actuator fluid motor.

8. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein said first actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to rotate said shaft in one direction, and

said second actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to rotate said shaft in an opposite direction and to move said housing in a given direction within said frame.

9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8, further comprising means for normally urging said housing in an opposite direction within said frame.

10. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, further comprising mounting means for said frame, and

means for adjustably positioning said frame in secured relation in any one of a plurality of positions along a given line in said mounting means.

1 1. For use in combination with a garment press having a pressing surface and a movable pressing head for pressing garments on the surface, an apparatus for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing comprising:

a mounting member positioned generally at one side of the pressing surface and having at least one longitudinal guide element thereon;

a frame mounted on said at least one longitudinal guide element;

a housing mounted on said at least one longitudinal guide element for reciprocable movement thereon within said frame;

a pair of spreader elements projecting laterally from said housing and over the pressing surface, said spreader elements having body portions extending substantially laterally from said housing and end portions extending at an angle from said body portions for engaging opposite portions of a garment to be pressed;

means supporting said body portions of said spreader elements in parallel relation on said housing for reciprocable movement in opposite directions relative to each other for spreading apart said end garment-engaging portions of said spreader elements and for retracting said end portions to a closed garment-receiving position;

12 means for angularly adjusting and securing said spreader element-supporting means in said housing relative to the reciprocable path of movement thereof; first actuator means connected with said spreader element-supporting means for causing said elements to engage said garment; and

second actuator means for moving said housing in one direction within said frame.

12. The combination set forth in claim 11, wherein said spreader element-supporting means comprises:

a platform;

a pair of supports slidably mounted in said platform;

and

means adjustably securing said body portions of said spreader elements on said supports.

13. The combination set forth in claim 12, further comprising:'

a rotatable shaft;

a first pinion secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith;

a pair of racks respectively secured to said slidable supports and engaging said first pinion;

a second pinion secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith;

a rack engaging said second pinion; and,

means connecting said first actuator means and said second pinion-engaging rack for turning said shaft in one direction.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13, further comprising:

another rack engaging said second pinion at a diametrically opposed point thereon; and,

means connecting said second actuator means and said another rack.

15. The combination set forth in claim 14, wherein said first and second actuator means are fluid motors, each having a piston rod connected with said second pinion-engaging racks, and

said piston rod of said second actuator means having a longer stroke than said piston rod of said first actuator means.

16. The combination set forth in claim 15, further comprising means for normally urging said housing in the opposite direction of said second actuator means.

17. The combination set forth in claim 13, further comprising means connecting said rotatable shaft and said housing for normally urging said shaft to turn in a direction opposite to that in which said shaft is turned by said first actuator means.

18. The combination set forth in claim 17, further comprising means for normally urging said housing in the opposite direction of said second actuator means.

19. The combination set forth in claim 18, further comprising a fluid control circuit for:

applying fluid under pressure to said first actuator fluid motor;

venting said first actuator fluid motor and substantially simultaneously applying fluid under pressure to said second actuator fluid motor; and,

venting said second actuator fluid motor.

20. The combination set forth in claim 19, further comprising means responsive to movement of said pressing head for causing said simultaneous venting of said first actuator fluid motor and application of fluid to said second actuator fluid motor and for venting said second actuator fluid motor.

21. The combination set forth in claim 20, further comprising means for adjusting the position of said frame on said guide element. 

1. An apparatus for use with a garment press or the like for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing, comprising: a frame; a housing supported within said frame for reciprocable movement in one direction therewithin; a pair of spreader elements for engaging opposite portions of a garment to be pressed; means supporting said spreader elements on said housing for reciprocable movement in opposite directions relative to each other; means for adjusting the angular relation of said spreader elements relative to said housing and said one direction of movement thereof; first actuator means for moving said spreader elements in opposite directions to engage said opposite portions of said garment; and second actuator means for moving said housing within said frame.
 2. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, further comprising: means for substantially simultaneously retracting said spreader elements to release said garment and actuating said second actuator means; and means for normally biasing said housing against movement by said second actuator means.
 3. The apparatus set forth in claim 1, wherein said supporting means for said spreader elements comprises: a platform mounted in said housing; a pair of supports for said spreader elements being slidably mounted on said platform for movement in parallel paths; and, means connecting said slidable supports and said first actuator means for moving said slidable supports in opposite directions along said parallel paths jointly with said first actuator means.
 4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3, wherein said means connecting said slidable supports and said first actuator means comprises: a rotatable shaft; a pinion secured to said shaft being rotatable therewith; a pair of racks respectively secured to said pair of slidable supports and engaging said pinion; and, means for drivingly connecting said shaft with said first actuator means.
 5. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein said first actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to rotate said shaft in one direction, and further comprising means for normally urging said shaft to rotate in the opposite direction.
 6. The apparatus set forth in claim 5, wherein said second actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to move said housing in a given direction, and further comprising means for normally urging said housing in an opposite direction within said frame.
 7. The apparatus set forth in claim 6, further comprising a fluid control circuit for sequentially: applying fluid under pressure to said first actuator fluid motor for causing said spreader elements to be spread apart for engaging said garment; venting said first actuator fluid motor anD substantially simultaneously applying fluid under pressure to said second actuator fluid motor for moving said housing in said given direction; and, venting said second actuator fluid motor.
 8. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, wherein said first actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to rotate said shaft in one direction, and said second actuator means is a fluid motor having a piston rod operable during displacement to rotate said shaft in an opposite direction and to move said housing in a given direction within said frame.
 9. The apparatus set forth in claim 8, further comprising means for normally urging said housing in an opposite direction within said frame.
 10. The apparatus set forth in claim 4, further comprising mounting means for said frame, and means for adjustably positioning said frame in secured relation in any one of a plurality of positions along a given line in said mounting means.
 11. For use in combination with a garment press having a pressing surface and a movable pressing head for pressing garments on the surface, an apparatus for spreading portions of a garment prior to pressing comprising: a mounting member positioned generally at one side of the pressing surface and having at least one longitudinal guide element thereon; a frame mounted on said at least one longitudinal guide element; a housing mounted on said at least one longitudinal guide element for reciprocable movement thereon within said frame; a pair of spreader elements projecting laterally from said housing and over the pressing surface, said spreader elements having body portions extending substantially laterally from said housing and end portions extending at an angle from said body portions for engaging opposite portions of a garment to be pressed; means supporting said body portions of said spreader elements in parallel relation on said housing for reciprocable movement in opposite directions relative to each other for spreading apart said end garment-engaging portions of said spreader elements and for retracting said end portions to a closed garment-receiving position; means for angularly adjusting and securing said spreader element-supporting means in said housing relative to the reciprocable path of movement thereof; first actuator means connected with said spreader element-supporting means for causing said elements to engage said garment; and second actuator means for moving said housing in one direction within said frame.
 12. The combination set forth in claim 11, wherein said spreader element-supporting means comprises: a platform; a pair of supports slidably mounted in said platform; and means adjustably securing said body portions of said spreader elements on said supports.
 13. The combination set forth in claim 12, further comprising: a rotatable shaft; a first pinion secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith; a pair of racks respectively secured to said slidable supports and engaging said first pinion; a second pinion secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith; a rack engaging said second pinion; and, means connecting said first actuator means and said second pinion-engaging rack for turning said shaft in one direction.
 14. The combination set forth in claim 13, further comprising: another rack engaging said second pinion at a diametrically opposed point thereon; and, means connecting said second actuator means and said another rack.
 15. The combination set forth in claim 14, wherein said first and second actuator means are fluid motors, each having a piston rod connected with said second pinion-engaging racks, and said piston rod of said second actuator means having a longer stroke than said piston rod of said first actuator means.
 16. The combination set forth in claim 15, further comprising means for normally urging said housing in the opposite direction of said second actuAtor means.
 17. The combination set forth in claim 13, further comprising means connecting said rotatable shaft and said housing for normally urging said shaft to turn in a direction opposite to that in which said shaft is turned by said first actuator means.
 18. The combination set forth in claim 17, further comprising means for normally urging said housing in the opposite direction of said second actuator means.
 19. The combination set forth in claim 18, further comprising a fluid control circuit for: applying fluid under pressure to said first actuator fluid motor; venting said first actuator fluid motor and substantially simultaneously applying fluid under pressure to said second actuator fluid motor; and, venting said second actuator fluid motor.
 20. The combination set forth in claim 19, further comprising means responsive to movement of said pressing head for causing said simultaneous venting of said first actuator fluid motor and application of fluid to said second actuator fluid motor and for venting said second actuator fluid motor.
 21. The combination set forth in claim 20, further comprising means for adjusting the position of said frame on said guide element. 